Ever feel like your day just needs a little sparkle and calm? You’re not alone! Galaxy Calming Jars are a hit in classrooms and homes because they combine science, creativity, and a dash of mindfulness. According to sensory experts, visual calming tools like these can help reduce anxiety in both kids and adults. Today, I’ll show you how to make your own glittering universe in a jar with just a few simple ingredients—and I promise, it’s easier than you think! Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or DIY enthusiast, this galaxy jar tutorial is your ticket to peaceful, starry vibes.
Materials You’ll Need for Your Galaxy Jar
Alright, before we dive into the glittery goodness, let’s talk supplies. I’ve made more than a few of these calming jars, and trust me—having everything prepped ahead saves a lot of cleanup (and glitter explosions!). The good news? You don’t need fancy materials or a science lab. Just a few household items and a little patience.
The Essentials
First, grab a clear jar with a tight lid. I like using a mason jar, but if you’re making one for a younger kid, a plastic sensory bottle is a safer bet. I once used a recycled pasta sauce jar, and yeah… not ideal. It leaked. Lesson learned—tight lids matter when your stress relief jar is full of liquid glitter!
Next is glue. You’ll want clear glue or glitter glue. I usually pour in about 1–2 tablespoons. That’s the secret sauce to make your glitter swirl nice and slow. More glue = more resistance = mesmerizing movement. I tried it once without glue, and the glitter just sank like a sad snow globe. Don’t skip this!
Now for the magic makers: fine glitter in galactic colors. Think pink, purple, silver, and blue. Chunky glitter’s fun, but it tends to clump. I also toss in some star confetti—purely optional but it makes it feel like a real galaxy in motion.
Add Some Flow Control
Here’s a pro tip: add a few drops of glycerin or baby oil. This controls the flow speed of your glitter, turning your DIY calming jar into a true mindfulness tool. I usually do about ½ teaspoon. Go slow—you can always add more if you want that dreamy, slow-mo swirl.
Don’t forget food coloring or liquid watercolors. A drop or two goes a long way. I’m obsessed with combining pink and blue because it makes this deep, dreamy purple that feels super cosmic. But hey—go wild and experiment. That’s half the fun.
Last step? Water. Warm water helps the glue mix better. I learned the hard way—cold water clumps everything. You’ll fill the jar about ¾ of the way, stir it up, and then top it off after everything’s added.
If it’s going to be handled by kids, seal the lid with hot glue or super glue. Trust me, glitter on carpet is a nightmare.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make a Galaxy Jar
Making a DIY calming jar might look fancy, but honestly, it’s way easier than baking cookies. The first time I made one, I was convinced I’d mess it up. But nope—nailed it. Now it’s one of my go-to stress relief crafts when I need to zone out or calm the kiddos after a long day. Here’s exactly how I do it:
Step 1: Add the Glue First
Start by squeezing 1–2 tablespoons of clear glue or glitter glue into your jar. This step is key—it’s what gives your sensory bottle that thick, slow-moving magic. I tried skipping it once. Bad idea. The glitter just zipped around too fast—defeating the purpose of a relaxation craft. The glue makes everything flow nice and slow, just like a lava lamp.
Step 2: Fill It Up With Warm Water
Now, fill the jar about ¾ of the way with warm water. Emphasis on warm. Cold water and glue are not friends. They clump up and make your calming jar look like a snowstorm in a bottle—not cute. Stir it with a spoon or chopstick until it’s nice and smooth.
Step 3: Drop in Some Color
Next comes color. Add a few drops of food coloring or liquid watercolor. I usually do one drop each of pink and blue—it blends into a dreamy purple. You can go bolder, but start small. I once made one that turned pitch black because I got too excited with the dye. Oops.
Step 4: Time for Glitter and Confetti
Here’s where it gets fun. Sprinkle in your fine glitter and optional star confetti. I go heavy on the glitter (I’m a sparkle fanatic), but even a little gives a nice spacey swirl. Stick with galaxy-inspired colors like silver, purple, and deep blue for the best cosmic vibe.
Step 5: Add Glycerin or Baby Oil
This is your glitter speed controller. Add a few drops of glycerin or baby oil to slow things down. If you want that hypnotic, lava-lamp flow, go for about half a teaspoon. Too much and it gets sluggish, like molasses. Not enough and it’s glitter chaos. You’ll find your perfect ratio with some trial and error.
Step 6: Top It Off and Seal
Fill the rest of the jar with water—leave a little room at the top so it can move around when shaken. Then seal the lid tight. If it’s for a toddler or a classroom, I always use hot glue to secure it. One time my son opened one and our living room looked like a unicorn exploded. Lesson learned.
Tips for the Best Galaxy Jar Effects
You’d think making a calming jar is all glitter and glue, right? But let me tell ya—there are a few things I wish I knew before my first DIY sensory bottle ended up looking like a swamp. Not every calming jar comes out Pinterest-perfect on the first go. These little tips took my glitter jar game from messy to mesmerizing.
Use Glitter Glue for Maximum Sparkle
This one’s a game-changer. Regular clear glue works fine, but glitter glue? Oh man, it’s like turning the sparkle dial to eleven. The first time I used it, I swear the jar looked like it had its own galaxy inside. Just keep in mind, it’s thicker—so you’ll need more warm water to get the flow just right.
Don’t Overdo the Glitter
I made this mistake early on. I was so pumped about making a “super sparkly” stress relief jar that I dumped in half the glitter bottle. Rookie move. Instead of a floating galaxy, it turned into a glitter sludge bottle. Less really is more. A pinch of fine glitter goes a long way—especially when you’ve got a good swirl going.
Pick Your Colors Wisely
There’s an art to color choice. Stick with galaxy vibes—purple, blue, silver, pink. If you go for green and red, you’re drifting into Christmas territory (ask me how I know 😅). Food coloring can be intense, so start with one drop at a time. You can always add more, but you can’t take it back.
Warm Water Is Your Best Friend
Here’s the thing—warm water helps glue dissolve better, and that keeps your jar from clumping. Cold water just doesn’t cut it. I once tried using room temp water and ended up fishing out glue globs with a chopstick. Don’t be like me. Heat it up a little before you start.
Glycerin or Baby Oil = Swirl Control
Want a slow, dreamy glitter fall that feels like a lava lamp? Glycerin or baby oil is where it’s at. I usually start with a few drops, give it a shake, and add more if I want it slower. It’s like adjusting the speed on your own personal relaxation tool.
Seal the Lid Like a Boss
Don’t trust a screw-top lid around toddlers or hyper cats. If this calming jar is for kids—or just clumsy grownups like me—seal it with hot glue or super glue. One spill is all it takes to learn that glitter is forever.
Why Galaxy Calming Jars Are Great for Kids (and Adults!)
You ever watch glitter slowly settle in a jar and suddenly feel your brain take a deep breath? That’s the magic of a calming jar. I started making these for my kids during homeschool breaks—just something fun to do between lessons. But what surprised me? I ended up using them just as much.
Stress Relief in a Jar
It’s wild how effective these jars are as stress relief tools. One time, I had a complete meltdown over a burnt dinner. I sat down, grabbed my daughter’s galaxy jar, gave it a shake, and just watched the sparkles swirl. Three minutes later, I was calm enough to laugh at my charred meatloaf.
They work because they give your brain something slow and beautiful to focus on. It’s like built-in mindfulness—without needing to “meditate” or sit still in silence (which, let’s be honest, isn’t for everyone).
Perfect for Sensory Play
If you’ve got sensory seekers in your life—kids who crave touch, movement, or visual stimulation—these DIY sensory bottles are golden. I use them during quiet time or when one of my kids gets overstimulated. They help re-center their focus without me needing to say a word.
We keep one in the car too. Traffic tantrums? Solved. Well… mostly solved. It’s not magic, but it’s close.
Encourages Curiosity and Creativity
The first time we made one, my youngest asked if we could add “real stardust.” We didn’t have any, so we used extra silver glitter. But it opened the door to a full-on space lesson. These jars aren’t just crafts—they’re conversation starters. Great for curious little minds, and honestly, pretty therapeutic for adults too.
Versatile Mindfulness Tools
Whether it’s part of a bedtime routine, a quiet corner in a classroom, or just sitting on your desk at work, these glitter jars are low-maintenance mindfulness tools. No batteries, no screen time—just you and a swirl of sparkles slowing everything down.
You don’t need a reason to make one. You just need five minutes and a little glitter.
And there you have it—a DIY calming jar that’s easy to make, beautiful to look at, and surprisingly effective at bringing a little peace to your day. Whether you’re crafting with your kids, creating a sensory bottle for a classroom, or just need a glittery escape from the chaos, these galaxy jars deliver every time.
I’ve made dozens, and no two have ever looked the same. That’s the fun of it—it’s part science, part art, and all heart. Watching the glitter swirl slowly to the bottom still gives me that same deep breath of calm I felt the first time. It’s simple, affordable stress relief that fits in your palm.
So why not give it a try? Gather your glue, glitter, and star confetti and start swirling your own mini universe. And if your jar turns out amazing (which it will), snap a pic and pin it on Pinterest—tag it so others can find their own little galaxy too.
Now go make some magic! 🪐✨
